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Music Review Of You & Me By The personal stereos
"The personal stereos" is an American five-piece indie rock band from New York City. The personal stereos consists of Hamilton Leithauser (vocals and guitar), Paul Maroon (guitar and piano), Walter Martin (organ and bass), Peter Bauer (bass and organ) and Matt Barrick (drums). Their musical styles are mostly indie rock, post-punk revival and a bit of garage rock.
You & Me kicks off with "Donde Está la Playa". The combination of bass and organ are quite good. At first listen, it sounded really weird. But after a few listens, my perception towards music in the background while Hamilton sings on completely changed. It just keeps repeating in a loop until the drums and guitar splash in on the chorus, where Hamilton sings with effort, "I'm dancing, grooving, This lovely wooden floor … Eyes are so sore … "The personal stereos just know when and where to get together and noisy. A mid-tempo start.
"Flamingos (For Colbert)" is an instrumental track. Only guitars can be heard on this track. Could have been an intro to this album.
The personal stereos continued with "On The Water", a track that shares some similarities with the first number. The guitar can be heard accompanying Hamilton's song. As that song goes deeper and longer, the music gradually becomes richer and fuller. At times, Hamilton just know how to use his vocals to the fullest by groans and Howling. To conclude approaching, I like the whistling sound. It just complements On The Water so much!
"In The New Year" get out with some guitar riffs and Hamilton's vocals. When the chorus comes, the music just move into a fuller fashion. The most notable instrument is the organ. It just have special ties to Hamilton's song "I know it is true, it's gonna be a good year, out of darkness and into the fire, I'll tell you I love you … "Everytime the chorus comes, personal stereos have a very good job by lifting the new year into a different function. At times, I just think Christmas day, while listening to this track. Ho, Ho, Ho!
"Seven Years of vacation (For Stretch)" has an energetic Start with a guitar player and drummer-rolling. In verse, you'd find drums and guitar just conquer the song together with Hamilton's vocals. When the chorus comes, the whole track just changing gears. The music has the effect to make you sway your head, and Hamilton's voice could not have better timing than this. Great stuff here!
"Postcards From Tiny Islands" sounds like seven years of Holidays (For Stretch) beginning with the drum beats, but this time it's faster. As Hamilton singing, drums sound soft, but fast. Only guitar accompanies Hamilton, as he sings. When the chorus comes, as previous editions, the music just explodes with guitar playing on a catchy repetitive hooks. It sounds like there are two different parts of postcards from Tiny Islands. What a feat!
Red Moon leaves my jaw open, as I did not expect that personal stereos to slow it down with a ballad. But they do it with Red Moon and fill the track with surprising playing piano. Sometimes it's hard to imagine Hamilton sing such a ballad. Not just piano, you would also find the French horn in this trouble. I just love the combination the three instruments in this track, guitar, piano and French horn. Wonderful break by The personal stereos.
"Canadian Girl" is really an amazing track of You & Me! It has a jazzy feeling to it. And I would not blame you if you find yourself swaying to the Canadian Girl. It's just so good! Most of the times, Hamilton can be heard dragging his vocals after every phrase of lyrics or the lyrics. "And I just … Still call yourself my … Only I … Still hanging on … "As you sway with the Canadian girl, further it gets, the better the music gets. The French Horn can be heard after Hamilton's last voice Features on this track. The remaining 1:20 minutes are just fantastic, pamper yourself in this memorable one.
"Four Provinces "brings back the guitar riffs of The personal stereos. The constant playing of percussion can be heard throughout the four provinces. The chorus, like me, how Hamilton sings, "Hey, you, I get through? There is a bluer sky over the weekend … Hey, you, I get through? Lights in your eyes still burn …" Especially phrase, "Hey, you, I get through?" Hamilton just sort of yells when he sings this sentence, then soften back to the next line. Sometimes it makes me want to sing along. Check out the guitar riffs and percussion instruments in this issue also.
"Long Hour ahead of us "has got some good lyrics." When you come, join in the evening and let me in the middle of the night, take me tonight as I am leaving me the way I found … "This track by The personal stereos is slow and sometimes it seems that it never can take away. It manages to make us wish for more, but music seems to be just playing within the same circle. When it gets to the end, only then the French horn is able to put that track back on line.
"Blue Route" has a really catchy, happy guitar hook. I feel better when you listen to this track, it has the same quality as a Canadian girl. Make yourself swaying and moving your head from side to side. Only here, the guitar sound is very echoic and can be heard almost 98% of the time. It's simple, but yet unable to create an instant sympathetic impression. The personal stereos creates a guitar wall-of-sound in the Blue Route! Unforgettable!
"New Country "is just what the title suggests. It has some country elements in it, only sounds newer and more modern. Only guitar can be heard playing while Hamilton sings. It is a pretty consistent effort from star to finish. The personal stereos are not trying to add a special sound or touch to it. But it's still a good bet.
"I Lost You" starts with guitar and horns in the background. It sounds very bright at the start and Hamilton sings like he is too tired to drive a the second song. "Drive on, drive on the highway bright and long, the river is crowded, the houses burned down …" Gradually in this track, the guitar seems to get some energy force and starts to play louder as Hamilton sings on. The other half I Lost You is just filled with guitar riffs, as if competing with Hamilton's vocals.
"If only it were True" is a slow tempo track, primarily, Hamilton's voice and The personal stereos's guitar. It has the quality to be the last track on an album. It is a good choice that The personal stereos decide to terminate You & Me with If Only, if true. Hamilton sings the last phrase You & Me before ending with, "So do not come calling for me because my baby dream is not over, and when once I've had enough, I will die in dreams about you. "Sometimes, I think Hamilton has a tough time sing this track, he seems to be struggling with his voice. Still a good track and effort though!
Cheers!
Darren Tan
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About the Author
Darren Tan is a huge avid fan of indie music, indie bands and indie artists. Since he was 17 years old, he started to fall in love with the indie music scene. It was a total turning point in his life for him as he no longer look at the indie music industry the same since.
With Indiesurf.com he wants to share his thoughts, comments, reviews and opinions on the latest (and past/old) indie music, indie bands and indie artists with the world and you. You are also invited to share your views as well, so he’ll see you at Indiesurf.com.
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